The President's Post

For the last few months, I have made a concerted effort to participate in as many of our projects and committees as possible. I have missed a few (on the project side, Butterfly House, and the single event ones like the Arbor Day Tree Adoption, and State Fair, and on the committee side I have missed a lot more – the Hospitality, Development and ART Committees, and the short-lived Green Thumb and Audit Committees), most of which I hope to attend in the next few months. While they have different functions, our projects and committees are the vehicles through which our Association operates; if you want to get something done, it is most likely going to be through these channels. I would recommend that all of us try to do this every few years so that we understand the broader range of volunteer activities our Association offers, and also because you will never know if you are missing out on something you might really like. To summarize my visiting experience, I will simply say that I am amazed by the array of projects we offer and the impact on the community they make, and also by the variety of committees that enable us to function smoothly as an organization.

On the projects side, as I mentioned in a previous post, I think of these as the beating heart of our association, as they are the means through which we do most of the work that our mission requires. The first thing that strikes me about the projects is the excellent leadership. Our project leaders know what they are doing, and the folks on the team know and respect their leadership. I also like how the project leaders respond to suggestions of their team, the interaction and comradery among the group. The second thing that strikes me is the enthusiastic work of the people on the various teams; the range of experience varies of course, but everyone makes a contribution. Moreover, the learning never stops, no matter how experienced you are.

On the committee side, as noted above, our committees are designed to ensure our Association functions well and to support our projects. The leadership here is generally seasoned, and if it is not, there are plenty of team members who offer that. A great example here is the Steering Committee; I am the nominal leader, but am only in my sixth year, and I constantly seek advice and suggestions from more seasoned folks on the SC. Contrast that with the Membership Committee led by Donna Van Keuren, a former Association president from the Class of 2011 who has loads of experience, and of course, she has a team also loaded with years of experience.

A final, and perhaps most important observation, is the high level of commitment all of our projects and committees share. As Virginia Extension Master Gardeners, our project folks are committed to educating our community, whether through a demonstration vegetable or native plant/pollinator garden in a public space, the projects that grow food to donate, or the projects that educate face to face. It is also clear that we are making an impact in changing peoples’ practices in gardening and in environmental stewardship. This is our mission, and the fact is we do make Norfolk a better place to live. So check out a new project once in a while and see other ways you can make an impact on our community. I also love the commitment of all those folks serving on committees who are determined to help our Association operate smoothly. Their important and multi-faceted work directly enables the success of our projects. Serving our Association through committee work is cool too, so please think about it.